Greetings, Miss Manners Despite my introversion, I am a friendly person. I like to spend relatively little time with other people.
I consented to relocate to a suburban area in order to foster my husband’s extrovert tendencies after more than ten years of living in the woods. There isn’t much privacy outside because the residences are so near to one another.
Although I enjoy making new acquaintances and meeting new people, I would like to set boundaries in a courteous manner. I don’t want to be expected to talk to my neighbors over the fence in my backyard, for instance. I want to have that area to myself.
What tips do you have on how to politely establish limits without alienating others? I don’t want to say anything that would make my husband angry, but I also need a place to relax without having to hide in my basement.
PERSONAL READER: Lift the barrier and look down as you go by it. If you are caught, pretend to be preoccupied, apologize, and say politely that you are so sorry you are unable to stop talking.
Stories by
Judith Martin
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Miss Manners: Grandma instructs teens to grab valuables from family s less-favored couple
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Miss Manners: Widow is told someone was miffed they didn t get a thank you card after attending wake
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Miss Manners: Social media sabotaged rule against mentioning events to people who were not invited
Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
